Patriots-Dolphins Capsule

NEW ENGLAND (10-2) at MIAMI (5-7)

Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

OPENING LINE - Patriots by 11

RECORD VS SPREAD - New England 8-4, Miami 4-6-2

SERIES RECORD - Dolphins lead 53-51

LAST MEETING - Patriots beat Dolphins 35-17, Nov. 26

LAST WEEK - Patriots beat Bills 23-3; Dolphins beat Broncos 35-9

AP PRO32 RANKING - Patriots No. 1, Dolphins No. 24

PATRIOTS OFFENSE - OVERALL (1), RUSH (9), PASS (1)

PATRIOTS DEFENSE - OVERALL (28), RUSH (26), PASS (29)

DOLPHINS OFFENSE - OVERALL (29), RUSH (29), PASS (20)

DOLPHINS DEFENSE - OVERALL (18), RUSH (21), PASS (15)

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES: Miami cornerback Bobby McCain was ejected from game two weeks ago for throwing punch at New England receiver Danny Amendola. ... Patriots are plus-9 in turnover differential, fourth best in NFL. Dolphins are minus-10, third worst. ... Patriots have won eight games in row, and will clinch ninth consecutive AFC East title Sunday if Buffalo loses to Indianapolis or with win at Miami. ... TE Rob Gronkowski will sit out serving one-game suspension for late, gratuitous hit to head of Bills defensive back Tre'Davious White. Gronkowski caught two TD passes against Miami two weeks ago. ... Patriots have won 14 consecutive road games, NFL's second-best streak ever behind San Francisco's 18-0 run spanning 1988-90 seasons. ... Tom Brady last week became fourth player to top 65,000 career yards. With 65,214 yards, he joins Peyton Manning (71,940), Brett Favre (71,838) and Drew Brees (69,409). ... Brady leads NFL in completions, passing yards and yards per attempt, and has lowest interception percentage. Brady threw four TD passes against Miami last month. ... Brady has won 55 games in December, most by quarterback in any calendar month. ... Dolphins have played more games on Monday night, 83, than any other team. But this will be their first since 2015. ... Dolphins ranked last in scoring after 10 weeks at 15.2 points per game, but have averaged 24.0 in past three weeks. ... Kenyan Drake has only 65 carries but has three rushing plays for 40-plus yards, tied for most in NFL. ... Dolphins kickoff coverage unit has averaged starting field position of 22.2-yard line, best in league. ... Jay Cutler has thrown 12 touchdown passes in his past six starts. He missed Patriots game two weeks ago because of concussion. ... Fantasy Tip: Drake had breakout game last week with 120 yards rushing, and Patriots are allowing 5.1 yards per rush, worst in NFL.

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